Found myself willing it to be a pen as the VAR review was taking place, just for the drama. [Unlike many others, I'm fairly indifferent to what happens to Man U, unless they're playing us.] It was a very strict interpretation of the supposedly approved rule about 'making yourself bigger' by use of arms, but I suppose he did that. Just about.Going forward, I don't think defenders should have to tuck in their arms behind their back: that's just silly. But where does using your arms for balance in a 'normal' pose end and where does being a bit careless as to how far your arms stick out begin? Players won't help themselves because they always seek to bend the rules to breaking point on any issue - ergo onlookers assume they are doing it 'accidentally on purpose' even when they maybe weren't.Meh. It wasn't Pontus, so I don't care.

dirty leeds wrote:Found myself willing it to be a pen as the VAR review was taking place, just for the drama. [Unlike many others, I'm fairly indifferent to what happens to Man U, unless they're playing us.] It was a very strict interpretation of the supposedly approved rule about 'making yourself bigger' by use of arms, but I suppose he did that. Just about.Going forward, I don't think defenders should have to tuck in their arms behind their back: that's just silly. But where does using your arms for balance in a 'normal' pose end and where does being a bit careless as to how far your arms stick out begin? Players won't help themselves because they always seek to bend the rules to breaking point on any issue - ergo onlookers assume they are doing it 'accidentally on purpose' even when they maybe weren't.Meh. It wasn't Pontus, so I don't care.

This in spades for me. I loved the drama of it. I loved how PSG didn’t know how to game manage (at 3-2 they were always vulnerable to a stroke of Brilliance/luck/misfortune) because beating every shit team in France 50-5 (the aggregate score of their home league games this season) doesn’t prepare you for a close BAROMETER knock out.

For me it was a penalty, when you jump at the ball with your back to the shooter, there is always a risk.

Interestingly I don’t hate scum that much either. I’ve generally had decent banter with their fans over the years and growing up in the 1980s the glory hunting pricks at my primary school all supported Liverpool. Now the scousers I truely hate...

The handball rule is one of a few which needs a rewrite in the name of simplicity in my view (or maybe it's already well documented but pundits are ignorant fuckers?).

There's too much interpretation involved with intent. As the rule stands I'm pretty convinced that wasn't a penalty, he wasn't even looking (criminal in itself) and the arm in that position is the only way to make that jump other than an outstretched arm which would 100% be interpreted as deliberate.

On the flip side, there's every chance that shot was top corner bound and a clear advantage was gained through use of the arm. It should be a penalty. For me that should be the basis of the rule (nuance needed for strikers intentionally lifting the ball onto an arm at point blank range and claiming they were clean through if not for the hand).

Given that UEFA reportedly introduced a guideline stating that officials should ignore intent and concentrate on whether an arm is in an unnatural position, there is a genuine possibility that football could become a contest between two teams to see who can kick the ball at an opposing player’s arm in the area.

i was under the impression intent had nothing to do with it. IMO i feel that if the ball hits the arm when it is away from the trunk of your body and direction is altered then it is handball and should be a free kick or penalty.